The early detection and treatment of tuberculosis in the state would be achieved through an active partnership between the public, private health care sectors and NGOs, said health minister R Ashok, at a function organized at Bangalore, as a part of the International TB day celebrations.
The minister pointed out to ineffective reach of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) as being responsible for poor control of TB in the state. He further stated that the programme was not followed by all section of the health care industry, making it difficult to eliminate the disease or offer a 100% TB cure.'The Directly Observed Treatment, short course (DOTS) programme, where treatment is directly monitored, is recommended even by the WHO. We would like private practitioners to help take up the DOTS and prescribe the regimen,' he said in a statement, calling out for help to combat the worst humanity killer.
According to official reports, approximately 203 per lakh persons are being affected with the respiratory disease, every year, in the state. Out of this, only about 140 are being diagnosed and directed to receive the DOTS treatment.
